If you missed your chance to see Penn State hockey host Notre Dame this past season, don't worry, because the Fighting Irish are coming back for good.

Reported on Tuesday but officially announced on Wednesday, The Big Ten Conference welcomed Notre Dame as a sport affiliate member starting in the 2017-18 season. Notre Dame will be the seventh team in the Big Ten joining Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Wisconsin.

“We are excited to welcome Notre Dame into Big Ten Hockey,” said Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky said in a release. “They are a great fit as a high academic institution that greatly values the student-athletes experience. We look forward to great hockey games against them.”

The Nittany Lions and Fighting Irish squared off for the first time this past season with Notre Dame taking Penn State’s home opener, 7-4, on Oct. 16, 2015. Penn State returned fire with a 5-3 win the next night to split the series. Notre Dame earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament this season.

The two teams are scheduled to meet in South Bend in a non-conference series in 2016-17 before playing as conference foes. Penn State hockey's schedule will be released this summer.